Anti-herpes virus compositions containing 5-substituted 1-2&#39;(deoxy-2-&#39;-substituted-β-d-arabinofuranosyl)pyrimedene nucleosides

ABSTRACT

Veterinarian composition for the treatment of herpes virus in animals comprising a pyrimidine nucleoside, or veterinarianically acceptable acid addition salte thereof, of the formula ##STR1## wherein A is OR 3 , SR 3 , NR 3  R 4  or NHacyl wherein R 3  and R 4  are the same or different and are hydrogen, lower alkyl of 1 to 7 carbon atoms, aralkyl, or aryl; 
     NHacyl is alkanoyl or aroyl amide; 
     B is oxygen or sulfur; 
     X is halogen, alkylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl; 
     Y is halogen, amino, monoalkyl- or monoaralkylamino, dialkylamino, aminomethyl, hydroxymethyl, lower alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, vinyl and substituted vinyl or ethynyl and substituted ethynyl; 
     Z is methyne or nitrogen; 
     R 1  and R 2  are the same or different and are hydrogen acyl or aroyl, 
     in a veterinarianically acceptable carrier.

The invention described herein was made in the course of work under a grant or award from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 06/366,104 filed Apr. 6, 1982, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to novel 5-substituted 1-(2'-deoxy-2'-substituted-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)pyrimedine nucleosides which are useful as anti-viral and anti-cancer agents.

5-Bromo- and/or 5-iodo-2'-deoxycytidine inhibit the replication of herpes simplex virus (HSV) (Schildkraut et al, Mol. Pharmacol., 11, 153 (1975); Greer et al, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 255, 359 (1975)) as effectively as their corresponding deoxyuridine analogs. The deoxycytidine analogs are less toxic to uninfected cells than are 5-iodo (or 5-bromo)-2'-deoxyuridine apparently as a result of a virus-induced pyrimidine nucleoside kinase which converts the 5-halogenated deoxycytidines to the 5-halogenated deoxycytidylates and thence to the corresponding deoxyuridylates.

1-β-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C), is a known anti-cancer agent (Tally et al, Cancer, 20, 809 (1967)) and also inhibits the multiplication of several DNA virus in cell culture (Buthala, Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med., 115, 69 (1964); Feldman, et al, ibid., 122, 243 (1966)). Therapeutic trials of ara-C in herpes infections were not encouraging because its therapeutic to toxic ratio approached unity (Lauter et al, Antimicrobial Agents Chemother., 6, 598 (1974)). Although 1-β-D-arabinofuranosyluracil (ara-U) is devoid of anti-viral or anti-cancer activity, the 5-halogeno analogs show anti-viral activity (Underwood et al, Arch. Ophthamol., 72, 505 (1964)). Ara-T is active against HSV types 1 and 2 as well as against equine herpesvirus (Gentry et al, Virology, 65, 294 (1975); Aswell et al, Proc. Amer. Soc. Microbiol., 240 (1975)). 5-Methyl-ara-C is also active against herpesvirus infected cells in which deoxycytidine deaminase is present indicating that this nucleoside serves as an intracellular donor of ara-T that is phosphorylated to the nucleotide which then inhibits viral replication (Aswell et al, Ann, N.Y. Acad. Sci., 284, 342 (1977)). 5-Methyl-ara-C is devoid of anti-cancer activity. (Doerr et al, J. Med. Chem., 10, 247 (1967)). The 5-halogeno-ara-C derivatives have also shown anti-herpesvirus activity and are active against experimental herpes keratitis in rabbits (Renis et al, Antimicrobial Agents Chemotherap., 675 (1967)).

SUMMARY

Nucleosides of the invention can be represented by Formula I as follows: ##STR2## wherein A is OR³ (keto or enol), SR³, NR³ R⁴ or NHacyl;

R³ and R⁴ are the same or different and are hydrogen, lower alkyl of 1 to 7 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl and the like, aralkyl such as benzyl, benzhydryl, p-methoxybenzyl and the like, or aryl such as phenyl, p-chlorophenyl, tolnyl, p-methoxyphenyl, naphtyl and the like.

NHacyl may be an alkanoyl or aroyl amide. The term "alkanoyl" is meant to include an alkyl carbonyl radical wherein alkyl is a straight or branched chain saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

B is oxygen or sulfur;

X is halogen such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine as well as pseudohalogen such as lower alkylsulfonyl group of 1 to 5 carbons such as methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-, tert-butyl- and pentylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl such as benzene-, p-toluene-, p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl grouping.

Y is halogen such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; amino; monoalkyl- or monoaralkylamino such as methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino or benzylamino and the like; dialkylamino such as dimethylamino, diethylamino, dibenzylamino, pyrrolidino, piperidino or molpholino and the like; aminomethyl; hydroxymethyl; lower alkyl of 1 to 7 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl and the like; aryl such as phenyl, p-tolyl, p-chlorophenyl, p-aminophenyl, p-nitrophenyl, p-anisyl and the like; aralkyl such as benzyl, benzhydryl, p-chlorobenzyl, m-chlorobenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl and the like; vinyl and substituted vinyl; ethynyl and substituted ethynyl. Substituted vinyl or substituted ethynyl designates substitution of the β position of vinyl or ethynyl by alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl and the like, or aralkyl such as benzyl, p-chlorobenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl and the like, or aryl such as phenyl, p-nitrophenyl, p-tolyl, p-anisyl, naphtyl and the like.

Z is methyne (--CH═) or nitrogen;

R¹ and R² are the same or different hydrogen or acyl groups which may be alkanoyl groups of 1 to 20 carbon atoms such as formyl, acetyl, propionyl, isopropionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, tert-butyryl, valeryl, pivaloyl, caproyl, capryl, lauryl, myristyl, palmityl, stearyl, arachidyl, stilligyl, palmitolyl, oleyl, linolenyl, arachidonyl and the like. R¹ and R² can also be aroyl such as benzoyl and naphthoyl wherein the aromatic group may be additionally substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, halo, or nitro moieties such as p-tolnoyl, p-anisoyl, p-chlorobenzoyl, p-nitrobenzoyl or 2,4-dinitrobenzoyl and the like. R² may also be adamantoyl.

DESCRIPTION

The preferred starting materials for the process of the present invention can be subsumed under general Formula II as follows: ##STR3## R¹ and R² are as defined previously. X is halogen such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine as well as pseudohalogens such as lower alkylsulfonyl group of 1 to 5 carbons such as methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-, tert-butyl- and pentylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl such as benzene-, p-toluene-, p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl grouping.

X¹ is chlorine or bromine.

The synthesis of Formula II compounds is known (Reichman et al, Carbohydr. Res., 42, 233 (1975); Ritzmann et al, ibid., 39, 227 (1975)).

The starting materials of Formula II are reacted with a nucleophile of general Formula III: ##STR4## R⁵ is a tri-substituted-silyloxy or tri-substituted-silylmercapto group. The tri-substituted silyl may be trimethyl-, triethyl-, tripropyl-, tri-isopropyl-, tributyl-, tert-butyldimethyl-, tetramethyleneisopropyl-, tetramethylene-tert-butyl-, tribenzyl-, or phenyldimenthylsilyl or the like.

R⁶ is dialkylamino, alkylmercapto, alkoxy, tri-substituted-silyloxy, bis(tri-substituted silyl)amino, tri-substituted- silymonoalkylamino, tri-substituted-silylalkanoylamino, tri-substituted-silylaroylamino or tri-substituted silylmercapto and the like. The tri-substituted-silyl is the same as in R⁵ above. The designation of silylalkanoylamino may be silylacetamido, silylpropionamide, and the like, and silylaroylamino may be silylbenzamido, silyltoluamido, silylanisamido and the like. The dialkylamino may be dimethylamino, diethylamino, dibenzylamino, pyrrolidino, piperidino, morpholino. Alkylamino may be methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino and benzylamino. Alkymercapto and alkoxy designate a sulfur or oxygen substituted by a lower alkyl group of 1 to 7 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl and the like.

Z is methyne (--CH═) or nitrogen.

Y is halogen (fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine); lower alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl and the like; aryl such as phenyl, p-tolyl, p-chlorophenyl, p-aminophenyl, p-nitrophenyl, p-anisyl and the like; aralkyl such as benzyl, benzhydryl, p-chlorobenzyl, m-chlorobenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl and the like; vinyl and substituted vinyl; ethynyl and substituted ethylnyl; bis(tri-substituted-silyl)amino; tri-substituted-silylalkylamino; bis(tri-substituted-silyl)aminomethyl; and tri-substituted-silyloxymethyl groups. The designation of tri-substituted-silyl is the same as described previously. Substituted vinyl or substituted ethynyl designates substitution of the β-position of vinyl or ethynyl by alkyl, aralkyl or aryl. Alkyl designates saturated hydrocarbon of 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl and the like; aralkyl such as benzyl, p-nitrobenzyl, p-chlorobenzyl and the like; aryl such as phenyl, p-nitrophenyl, p-chlorophenyl, tolyl, anisyl, naphthyl and the like.

With respect to the above definitions, groups such as alkyl, etc. can have the following carbon atom contents:

    ______________________________________                                                      CARBON ATOM                                                                    CONTENT                                                           GROUP          GENERAL    PREFERRED                                            ______________________________________                                         Alkyl          1-20       1-7                                                  Aryl           6-18        6-10                                                Vinyl          2 to 8     2-4                                                  Acetenyl       2 to 8     2-4                                                  Carboxylic Acid                                                                Aliphatic      1 to 20    2, 6-20                                              Aromatic       7 to 11    7-9                                                  ______________________________________                                    

The reaction is carried out in an aprotic solvent such as halogenated hydrocarbon (e.g., methylene chloride, chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane, etc.), aromatic hydrocarbon (benzene, toluene, xylene, etc.), carboxylic acid derivatives such as ethyl acetate, acetonitrile or N,N-dimethylacetamide, preferably in methylene chloride or dichloroethane at temperature in the range of from 0° to 140° C. preferably from 20° to 30° C. in a period of from 6 hours to 10 days.

The molar ratio of the reactants, Formula II to Formula III, can be 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 3.

Upon completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture is quenched, suitably by adding excess alkanol such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and the like to the reaction mixture to hydrolyze the tri-substituted-silyl groups. Insoluble material is removed by filtration and washed with solvent such as methylene chloride. The combined filtrate and washings are evaporated to dryness in vacuo.

3',5'-Di-O-acyl nucleosides (Formula I above) can be obtained in pure condition either by direct crystallization of the residue from various solvents such as alkanol preferably ethanol or solvent systems such as alkanol-dialkyl ether or petroleum ether, preferably ethanol-diethyl ether, or by chromatography over a column of silica gel G60 using various solvent systems preferably chloroform-methanol (40:1 v/v) as the eluent.

The free Formula I nucleoside wherein X is F and R¹ and R² are hydrogen is obtained by either saponification of the 3',5'-di-O-acyl intermediate with alkali metal alkoxide in alkanol preferably 0.01 to 0.1M sodium methoxide in methanol or when A is not SH or SR by treatment of the 3',5'-protected nucleoside with amine-alkanol mixture preferably 10 to 30% methanolic ammonia at temperature between -10° and 100° C. preferably 10° to 30° C. for 5 minutes to 3 days.

The free Formula I nucleoside wherein X is Cl or Br and R¹ and R² are hydrogen, is prepared from the corresponding 3',5'-di-O-alkanoyl intermediate (Formula I wherein X is Cl or Br and R¹ and R² are same or different lower alkanoyl groups such as acetyl, propionyl, butyryl and the like) by treatment with mineral acid in water or alkanol, preferably 5 to 15% hydrogen chloride in methanol.

The free nucleoside (Formula I wherein A is an amino, monosubstituted amino, or disubstituted amino group) forms acid addition salts with both organic and inorganic acids. Preferable acid addition salts are the pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salts. Non-pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts can be converted to the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts by ion-exchange techniques well known in the art. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid and the like.

The free nucleosides (Formula I) and their acid addition salts are useful therapeutic agents exhibiting anti-viral and anti-cancer activity and may be employed in the form of pharmaceutical preparations which contain them in association with a compatible pharmaceutical carrier which can be an organic or inorganic inert carrier material suitable for enteral or parenteral administration such as, for example, water, gelatin, gum arabic, lactose, starches, magnesium stearate, talc, vegetable oils, polyalkylene glycols, petroleum jelly, etc. The pharmaceutical preparations can be made up in solid form (e.g., as tablets, dragees, suppositories or capsules) or in liquid form (e.g., as solutions, suspensions or emulsions). The preparations may be sterilized and/or may contain adjuvants such as preserving, stabilizing, wetting or emulsifying agents, salts for varying the osmotic pressure or buffers. Such preparations may also contain other therapeutic agents.

Formula I 4-thiopyrimidine nucleosides wherein A is SH are obtained by thiation of a Formula I 3',5'-di-O-acyl nucleoside wherein A is OH and Y is fluorine, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, vinyl or ethynyl, with phosphorus pentasulfide (P₂ S₅) in dioxan at the temperature range of 20° to 120° preferably 25° to 100° for a period of 10 minutes to 24 hours. The molar ratio with respect to P₂ S₅ is from 1:0.5 to 1:2. The free 4-thiopyrimidine nucleoside is obtained by saponification as described previously.

4-Alkylmercapto- or 4-aralkylmercaptopyrimidine nucleoside wherein A is SR is obtained by treatment of the free 4-thiopyrimidine nucleoside (Formula I, A=SH, R¹ =R² =H) with alkyl or aralkyl halide or dialkyl sulfate in water or alkanol in the presence of alkali metal hydroxide or alkali metal alkoxide, preferably 1.0 to 1.2 equivalents of sodium hydroxide in water or 1.0 to 1.2 equivalents of sodium methoxide in methanol. Alkyl halide designates bromide or iodide of lower alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl and the like. Aralkyl halide includes chloride or bromide of benzyl, p-chlorobenzyl, p-bromobenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl, p-methylbenzyl, p-methoxybenzyl and the like.

4-Amino-substituted nucleosides (Formula I, R¹, R² =H, A=NR³ R⁴ wherein R³ and R⁴ may be the same or different groups such as H, alkyl, aralkyl or aryl as defined above; Y and Z are as defined in Formula III above; B=sulfur or oxygen), are also obtained from 4-thio nucleosides (Formula I, A=SH; R¹, R² =H), 4-alkyl- or aralkylmercapto nucleosides (Formula I, A=SR; R¹, R² =H) or their 3',5'-di-O-acyl analogs (Formula I, A=SH or SR wherein R¹ and R² are the same or different alkanoyl or aroyl groups) by treatment with the corresponding amine (including ammonis) in water or alkanol (preferably methanol) at a temperature range of 0°→150°, under a pressure range of from 1 to 5 atms.

4-Hydroxy-substituted nucleosides (Formula I wherein A is ON) are also prepared by acid hydrolysis of 4-amino or 4-acylamino-nucleosides (Formula I, A=NR³ R⁴ or NHacyl) and 4-thio or 4-substituted-thio nucleosides (Formula I, A=SH or SR). Thus treatment of 4-amino or 4-acylamino nucleosides (Formula I, A=NR³ R⁴ or NHacyl; Y=F, Cl, Br, etc.; as defined in Formula III; Z=CH or N, B=O or S; X as defined in Formula II; R¹ and R² =H or as defined in Formula II with aqueous mineral or organic acid, preferably 50-80% acetic acid, at reflux for 10 minutes to 24 hours followed by evaporation of the solvent in vacuo affords the corresponding 4-hydroxy nucleosides. Also treatment of 4-thio or 4-substituted-thio nucleosides (Formula I, A=SH or SR as defined above; R¹,R²,B,X,Y,Z as defined above for the 4-amino analogs) with aqueous mineral or organic acid, preferably 1.5 to 6 equivalents of monochloroacetic acid under reflux for 1 to 72 hours followed by removal of the solvent in vacuo affords the corresponding 4-hydroxy nucleosides.

5-Halogeno nucleosides (Formula I, A=OH, Y=Cl, Br or I) are also obtained by direct halogenation. 5-Chloropyrimidine nucleosides (Formula I, A=OH, Y=Cl) are prepared by treatment of the 5-unsubstituted derivatives (Formula I, A=OH, Y=H) in water, alkanol of 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as methanol, ethanol, propanol or butanol and the like, or lower alkanoic acid of 2 to 6 carbon atoms such as acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric or caproic acid and the like, or dioxan or a mixture of water and dioxan, most preferably acetic acid, with 1.5 to 2 equivalents of chlorine, preferably in carbon tetrachloride solution, under reflux for 10 to 20 minutes followed by evaporation to dryness in vacuo. Bromination and iodination are also carried out similarly at temperature range of 15° to 60° by replacing chlorine by bromine or iodine. The most preferable solvent for these reactions is dioxan and the presence of a catalytic amount of nitric acid is required, N-Bromosuccinimide and N-iodosuccinimide are also effective halogenating agents.

The cytosine analogs (Formula I, A=NH₂, NR³ R⁴) are also brominated or iodinated similarly using bromic or iodic acid as catalyst. Again, N-bromosuccinimide, N-iodosuccinimide or iodine chloride are effective halogenating agents.

5'-O-Alkanoyl nucleosides (Formula I, R² =alkanoyl group of 4 to 20 carbon atoms; R¹ =H; A,B,X,Y and Z are as defined for Formula I) are obtained by treatment of the corresponding free nucleoside or the HCl salt (if the nucleoside contains amino group) with 1.1 equivalents of alkanoyl halide in dimethyl formamide or dimethyl acetamide at a temperature range of 0°-100° preferably at room temperature for a period of 1 to 72 hours. Alkanoyl halide includes chloride or bromide of saturated or unsaturated fatty acid containing 4 to 20 carbon atoms such as n-butyric, isobutyric, n-valeric, isovaleric, caproic, capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, arachidic, stilligic, palmitoleic, oleic, linolenic or arachidonic acid and the like.

After completion of the reaction, the mixture is concentrated in vacuo, and the residue is thoroughly triturated first with ether, preferably diethyl ether, and then by 1-2N sodium bicarbonate solution. The residue is crystallized from an appropriate alkanol such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol and the like or from an alkanoic acid ester such as ethyl acetate, methyl propionate and the like or a mixture of such solvents.

5'-O-Aroyl nucleosides (Formula I, R² =aroyl such as benzoyl, toluoyl, p-chloro-benzoyl, p-nitrobenzoyl, anisoyl, naphtoyl, and the like; R¹ =H; A,B,X,Y and Z are as defined for Formula I) and 5'-O-adamantoyl nucleosides (Formula I, R² =adamantoyl; R¹ =H; A,B,X,Y and Z are as defined for Formula I) are also prepared by a similar manner from the corresponding free nucleosides or the HCl salt (if the nucleoside contains amino group) by treatment with 1.5 to 4 equivalents of the corresponding acid halides.

The following examples are intended to further illustrate the inventions without limiting same.

EXAMPLE 1

To a solution of 3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-arabinofuranosyl bromide (3.6 g, 0.01 mol) in methylene chloride (50 ml) is added a methylene chloride solution of 5-chloro-tris(trimethylsilyl)cystosine [prepared from 4.3 g, 0.03 mol. of 5-chlorocytosine as follows: a mixture of 5-chlorocytosine and 5-15 mg of ammonium sulfate in 43 ml of hexamethyldisilazane is heated to reflux until a clear solution is obtained. The excess hexamethyldisilazane is removed by evaporation in vacuo and the residue is dissolved in 25 ml of methylene chloride]. The mixture is stirred for 5 days at room temperature. Methanol (7 ml) is added to the reaction mixture, and the suspension is filtered through a Celite pad which is thoroughly washed with methylene chloride. The combined filtrate and washings are evaporated to dryness in vacuo and the residue is crystallized from ethanol to give 860 mg of 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorocytosine, m.p. 233°.

Microanalysis (C₁₈ H₁₇ ClFN₃ O₆). Calcd. C, 50.77; H, 4.02; F, 4.46; N, 9.87. Found: C, 51.02; H, 4.18; F, 4.34; N, 9.80.

The mother liquor of crystallization is evaporated to dryness in vacuo to a syrup which is chromatographed on a column of silica gel G60 (˜100 g) using chloroform-methanol (40:1 v/v as the eluent. Twenty ml fractions are collected and each fraction is checked by tlc. Appropriate fractions (7-20) are collected and evaporated to dryness in vacuo, and the residue is crystallized from ethanol to give an additional product (968 mg) identical in all respects with an authentic sample.

By following the same procedure but using the corresponding cytosine analogs as starting materials, the following compounds are also prepared:

(1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromocytosine.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methylcytosine.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-ethylcytosine.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-benzylcytosine.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-phenylcytosine.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-vinylcytosine.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-ethynylcytosine.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-aminocytosine.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-benzylaminocytosine.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-aminomethylcytosine.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-hydroxymethylcytosine.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azacytosine.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyl-6-azacytosine.

By following the same procedure but using 3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-α-D-arabinofuranosyl bromide and the corresponding cytosine analogs as starting materials, the following nucleosides are prepared:

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorocytosine.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorocytosine.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromocytosine.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methylcytosine.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyl-6-azacytosine.

By following the same procedure but using 3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-α-D-arabinofuranosyl bromide and the corresponding cytosine analogs as starting materials, the following compounds are obtained:

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)cytosine.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorocytosine.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorocytosine.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromocytosine.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methylcytosine.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyl-6-azacytosine.

EXAMPLE 2

A mixture of 3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-arabinofuranosyl bromide (11.5 g) and 2,4-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)pyrimidine [prepared by refluxing a mixture of 5 g of uracil and 5-15 mg of ammonium sulfate in 25 ml of hexa-methyldisilazane until a clear solution is obtained followed by removal of the excess hexamethyldisilazane in vacuo] in 150 ml of methylene chloride is stirred for 5 days at room temperature. Methanol (5 ml) is added to the mixture and the suspension is filtered through a celite pad. The filtrate is evaporated in vacuo and the residue is triturated with diethyl ether to give a crude product which was recrystallized from ethanol to give pure 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil, 5.8 g, m.p. 179°-180°.

Microanalysis (C₁₈ H₁₇ F N₂ O₇). Calcd. C, 55.10, H, 4.37; F, 4.84; N, 7.14. Found: C, 54.93; H, 4.42; F, 4.78; N, 7.04.

By following the same procedure but using the corresponding uracil analogs as starting materials, the following compounds are also prepared:

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorouracil.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-4-S-methylthiouracil.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azathymine.

In accordance with the above procedure, but where in place of 3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-arabinofuranosyl bromide there is used 3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-α-D-arabinofuranosyl chloride, there are obtained the following compounds:

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorouracil.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-thymine.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azathymine.

In accordance with the principal example above, but using 3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-D-arabinofuranosyl bromide in place of 3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-arabinofuranosyl bromide, there are obtained the following compounds:

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorouracil.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-thymine.

1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azathymine.

EXAMPLE 3

A mixture of 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorocytosine (650 mg) in 80% acetic acid (50 ml) is heated under reflux for 48 hours. After removal of the solvent in vacuo the residue is chromatographed over a column of silica gel G60 (22×2 cm) using CHCl₃ :MeOH (30:1 v/v as the eluent. Each fraction is checked by tlc and the appropriate fractions are collected and evaporated in vacuo, and the residue is crystallized from ethanol to give pure 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil, 300 mg, m.p. 177°-179°.

Analysis (C₁₈ H₁₆ F₂ N₂ O₇). Calcd. C, 52.69; H, 3.93; F, 9.26; N, 6.83. Found: C, 52.68; H, 3.90; F, 9.60; N, 6.92.

By following the same procedure the following uracil nucleosides are prepared from the corresponding cytosine nucleosides:

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorouracil.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azauracil.

1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azathymine.

EXAMPLE 4

1-(3-O-Acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromocytosine (1.0 g) is dissolved in saturated methanolic ammonia (100 ml) and the solution is left standing for 24 hours at room temperature. The solvent is removed in vacuo and the residue was crystallized from ethanol to give 560 mg of 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromocytosine, m.p. 201°-202°.

Analysis (C₉ H₁₁ BrFN₃ O₄). Calcd. C, 33.55; H, 3.42; F, 5.86; N, 12.97. Found: C, 33.30; H, 3.70; F, 5.68; N, 12.69.

By following the same procedure, the following compounds are prepared from the corresponding blocked nucleosides listed in Example 1:

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorocytosine.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methylcytosine.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-ethylcytosine.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-benzylcytosine.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-phenylcytosine.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-vinylcytosine.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-ethynylcytosine.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-aminocytosine.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-benzylaminocytosine.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-aminomethylcytosine.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-hyroxymethylcytosine.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyl-6-azacytosine.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorocytosine.

By following the same procedure but using saturated methanolic HCl in place of methanolic NH₃ with the corresponding blocked nucleosides, the following compounds are prepared:

1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorocytosine hydrochloride.

1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorocytosine hydrochloride.

1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromocytosine hydrochloride.

1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine hydrochloride.

1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methylcytosine hydrochloride.

1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyl-6-azacytosine hydrochloride.

1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorocytosine hydrochloride.

1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorocytosine hydrochloride.

1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromocytosine hydrochloride.

1-(2-bromo-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine hydrochloride.

1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methylcytosine hydrochloride.

1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyl-6-azacytosine hydrochloride.

EXAMPLE 5

1-(3-O-Acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)thymine (150 mg) is dissolved in saturated methanolic ammonia (15 ml), and the mixture left standing for 16 hours. The solvent is removed by evaporation in vacuo, and the residue crystallized from water to give 80 mg of 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)thymine, m.p. 185°-185.5°.

Microanalysis (C₁₀ H₁₃ FN₂ O₅). Calcd. C, 46.15; H, 5.00; F, 7.30; N, 10.76. Found: C, 45.98; H, 4.89; F, 7.16; N, 10.58.

By following the same procedure but using the corresponding blocked nucleosides the following compounds are prepared:

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorouracil.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil.

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azathymine.

In accordance with the principal example above, but using saturated methanolic hydrogen chloride in place of methanolic ammonia with the corresponding di-O-acetyl nucleosides, there are obtained the following compounds:

1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil.

1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorouracil.

1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil.

1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil.

1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)thymine.

1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azathymine.

1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil.

1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorouracil.

1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil.

1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil.

1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)thymine.

1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azathymine.

EXAMPLE 6

To a solution of 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil (500 mg) and sodium acetate (100 mg) in 5 ml of glacial acetic acid is added a solution of bromine (240 mg) in 1 ml of glacial acetic acid. After 30 minutes at room temperature, the solvent is removed by evaporation in vacuo. Traces of acetic acid is removed by several co-evaporation with toluene. The residue is dissolved in saturated methanolic ammonia (50 ml) and the mixture is kept standing at room temperature for 2 days. The solvent is removed by evaporation in vacuo and the residue is crystallized from water to give 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil (325 mg), m.p. 214°-216°.

Analysis (C₉ H₁₀ BrFN₂ O₅). Calcd. C, 33.25; H, 3.10; F, 5.85; N, 8.62. Found: C, 33.57; H, 3.30; F, 5.89; N, 8.66.

In accordance with the above procedure, but where 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil or 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil is used in place of 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil and where methanol hydrogen chloride is used in place of methanolic ammonia, there is obtained 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil and 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil. All these 5-bromouracil nucleosides obtained in Example 6 are identical in all respects with the corresponding nucleosides prepared as described in Example 5.

EXAMPLE 7

To a mixture of 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil (400 mg) and iodine (130 mg) in glacial acetic acid (5 ml) is added fuming nitric acid (sp. gr. 1.5) dropwise with stirring until the color of iodine disappears. After evaporation in vacuo, the residue is triturated with water and the insoluble product (515 mg) is collected by filtration.

The crude product (200 mg) is dissolved in saturated methanolic ammonia (50 ml). After 2 days, the solvent is removed by evaporation and the residue dissolved in a small amount of ethanol. To the solution is added diethyl ether and the product is collected by filtration and recrystallized from ethanol to give 86 mg 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil, m.p. 216°-217°.

Microanalysis (C₉ H₁₀ FIN₂ O₅). Calcd. C, 29.05; H, 2.71; F, 5.11; N, 7.53. Found: C, 29.11; H, 2.87; F, 4.99; N, 7.50.

In accordance with the above procedure but where, in place of 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil and methanolic ammonia, there is used a combination of 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil or 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil and methanolic hydrogen chloride, there are obtained 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil and 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil. All the 5-iodouracil nucleosides obtained in this Example are identical in all respects with the corresponding compounds prepared as described in Example 5.

EXAMPLE 8

A mixture of 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)cytosine hydrochloride (610 mg), glacial acetic acid (2.2 ml), iodic acid (196 mg), iodine (327 mg), carbon tetrachloride (1.5 ml) and water (0.75 ml) is stirred at 40°-50° C. for 2.5 hours then at room temperature overnight. Water (6 ml) is added and yellow precipitates [650 mg, m.p. 115°-125° (dec)] filtered, dissolved in 100 ml of water, and the red-brown solution is passed through a column of Amberlite 1R-45 (OH⁻, 25 ml). The column is washed with water (200 ml). The combined eluates and washings are evaporated in vacuo and the colorless residue dissolved in methanolic hydrogen chloride (10 ml). 1-(2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine hydrochloride (190 mg) deposits as colorless crystals, m.p. 177°-181° (dec).

Analysis. (C₉ H₁₁ FIN₃ O₄ HCl). Calcd. C, 26.50; H, 2.94; F, 4.66; N, 10.30. Found: C, 26.55; H, 3.06; F, 4.44; N, 10.20.

In accordance with the above procedure, but where in place of 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)cytosine there is used 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)cytosine or 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)cytosine, there are obtained 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine hydrochloride and 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine hydrochloride. All these 5-iodocytosine nucleosides obtained in this Example are identical in all respects with the corresponding compounds prepared as described in Example 4.

BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

Compounds of the invention show anti-viral and anti-tumor activity. 1-(2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine inhibits Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 and type 2 replication. HFEM, Patton, 2931, and F-strain HSV-1 and 333 and G-strain HSV-2 are effected at concentrations of 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine 0.01μM (approximately 0.004 μg/ml).

Studies with a thymidine kinases (TK) negative strain of HSV-1 (HSV-1 TK⁻) was found not to be affected by 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine at concentrations of up to 10 μM indicating that selectivity probably depends on viral thymidine kinase phosphorylation of 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine.

Studies with cytomegalovirus (CMV strain AD 169) have demonstrated 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine activity against this other herpes-virus. This is surprising since CMV does not have its own thymidine kinase and must induce a cellular fetal enzyme for replication. At concentrations of 1 μM (0.4 μg/ml), 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine was found to reduce CMV plaque formation on WI-38 cells.

The effective doses for 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine are given below. 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine is diluted in physiological saline, filter sterilized, and inoculated. This compound is readily soluble at concentrations of 25 mg/ml in saline. In mouse studies, the drug is inoculated by the intraperitoneal route.

    ______________________________________                                                             ED.sub.50                                                  ______________________________________                                         Herpes Simplex Virus - type 1                                                  1. Strain 2931        .007     μM                                           2. Strain McIntyre    *<.01    μM                                           3. Strain Patton      .01      μM                                           4. Strain HFEM        *<<.01   μM                                           Herpes Simplex Virus - type 2                                                  1. Strain G           .01      μM                                           2. Strain 333         .05      μM                                           Cytomegalovirus                                                                1. Strain AD-169      1.0      μM                                           ______________________________________                                          *< = less than                                                           

The capacity of 2'-fluoro-arabinosyl nucleosides (Formulas IV and V shown below) to suppress replication of Herpes Simplex virus-type 1 (HSV-1) in monolayers of Vero cells is shown in Table I.

    ______________________________________                                          ##STR5##                                                                 

    ______________________________________                                                              Y                                                         ______________________________________                                         a                    H                                                         b                    F                                                         c                    Cl                                                        d                    Br                                                        e                    I                                                         f                    CH.sub.3                                                  ______________________________________                                    

Vero cell monolayers were infected with approximately 1 plaque forming unit (PFU) per cell of Herpes Simplex Virus-Type 1 (HSV-1) strain 2931 and incubated for 2 hr. Maintenance media containing the various concentrations of drugs were used to overlay the monolayers. Supernatant fluids were collected 24 hr. later and titered on Vero cell monolayers described in Lopez et al, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 284, 351 (1977). Percent inhibition over controls was calculated.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Capacity of 2'-Fluoro-2'-deoxy-arabinosyl-cytosines and -uracils               to Suppress HSV-1 Replication in Monolayers of Vero Cells                                                       Cytoxicity                                             Anti-viral Activity* in μg/ml                                                                       ID.sub.50 in μg/ml                         Y =      0.01                                                                              0.1                                                                               1.0  10    100    L5178Y                                                                               P815                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Cyto-                                                                              Nucleo-                                                                    sine                                                                               sides                                                                      IVa**                                                                              H    -  +  +    +++   ++++    0.05  0.05                                   IVb F    -  +  ++   +++     ND   0.5   0.4                                     IVc Cl   -  -  -    +++   ND     1.4   ˜1.0                              IVd Br   -  +  ++   +++++ ND     ˜10                                                                            >10                                     IVe I    +  ++ ++++ +++++ +++++   48    14                                         Nucleo-                                                                    Uracil                                                                             sides                                                                      Va  H    -  -  ++   ++    ND     >10   >10                                     Vb  F    -  ++ ++++ +++++ ND     1.0   0.7                                     Vc  Cl   -  -  -    ++++  ND     1.4   3.4                                     Vd  Br   -  -  ++   ++++  ND     0.9   1.6                                     Ve  I    -  +  +++  ++++  ND     0.9   0.8                                     __________________________________________________________________________      *% Reduction of HSV1 titer; > 90% = +; > 99% = ++; > 99.9% = +++; > 99.99      = ++++, complete obviation of HSV1 replication = +++++. (-) = < 90% red        uction of HSV1 titer.                                                          **Wright et al, J. Med. Chem., 13, 269 (1970). See also Reichman et al,        Carbohydr. Res., 42, 233 (1975).                                                All pyrimidine nucleosides listed in this Table are in the neutral form       except for compound IVe which is in the form of its hydrochloride salt.          ND = not done.                                                                  Concentration required for 50% inhibition of growth of cells in vitro       after 96 hrs. incubation at 37° C.                                

1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine was also shown to be active in vivo. A/J mice were inoculated with approximately 50 LD₅₀ of HSV-1 strain 2931 intraperitoneally and then treated with 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine starting 24 hours later. 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine was given at 10 and 1 mg/kg/da for 5 days. Untreated mice died 8 days post inoculation. Five of 10 mice treated with 10 mg/kg/day survived the 21 day experiment. Two of 10 treated with 1 mg/kg/da survival the 21 day experiment and the remainder died an average of 10 days after inoculation. The 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine was thus active in vivo against HSV-1.

Since 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine was active against a virus which uses fetal thymidine kinase and since many tumor cells express high concentrations of fetal thymidine kinase, it was tested as a selective anti-tumor agent. In vitro the 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine was found to suppress the replication of K 562 cells, a cell line of human chronic myologenous leukemai cells, at a concentration of 0.04 μg/ml.

Since 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine was not toxic to normal human lymphoblastoid cells at concentrations of up to 10 μM, the compound is believed to affect tumor cells at concentrations 1/100th those needed to suppress normal cell replication.

The process of treating viral infections and tumors according to this invention comprises administering a therapeutic nontoxic amount of a compound of the invention such as 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine, as such or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition in dosage unit form comprising from 10 to about 100 mg/kg of a compound of the invention, per dosage unit, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable nontoxic inert carrier of diluent therefor as described above.

Human and animal herpes viruses are similar morphologically and share many biochemical features. For example, all herpes viruses have double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid for their genome, they all have a six sided capsid (icosahedral) surrounded by a lipid-containing envelope, and all herpes viruses develop first in the nucleus of the infected cell and replication is completed as the virus passed into the cytoplasm. All herpes viruses studied to date have been found to contain relatively large genomes capable of encoding the information for up to 100 or more proteins (of moderate size). In those herpes viruses studied, only a portion of these have been found to be structural whereas many of the others have been found to participate in some of the enzymatic reactions required for the replication of the virus. For example, all herpes viruses tested to date have been shown to encode a DNA polymerase with properties different than those of the normal cell. In addition, most herpes viruses direct the production of a virus specified pyrimidine nucleoside kinase (usually referred to as a thymidine kinase, TK) also with substrate requirement different than those of normal human cells.

The results of our studies provide strong evidence that FIAC's patent, selective anti-herpes virus activity is dependent in part to the herpes virus specified TK and DNA polymerase enzyme found in infected but not in uninfected cells. Clearly, FIAC shows impressive anti-viral activity against a series of herpes simplex virus-types 1 and 2, and herpes zoster virus; herpes viruses known to encode a virus specified TK whereas a mutant of herpes simplex virus-type 1 lacking this enzyme was 8000 times less sensitive. Furthermore, FIAC was found to selectively inhibit the replication of herpes simplex virus-type 1 DNA but not cellular DNA in the same infected cells indicating that selectivity was also obtained at a step in the replication of this virus beyond the TK: probably at the DNA polymerase. Both of these observations have been confirmed by direct testing of the capacity of FIAC or its triphosphate to interact with the viral versus the cellular enzymes and selectivity was demonstrated.

Cytomegalovirus, another of the human viruses, also codes for a DNA polymerase but does not code for its own TK. However, this virus is also sensitive to the anti-viral effect of FIAC and FMAU indicating that significant (and sufficient) selectivity are obtained by the virus specified DNA polymerase.

Since the animal herpes viruses studied to date also have virus specified TK and DNA polymerase enzymes and since these viruses are phylogenetically closely related to human herpes viruses, there is every reason to believe that these animal herpes viruses will be susceptible to the selective anti-viral activity of both FIAC and FMAU.

In vivo tests were run to determine the effect of FIAC on avian (turkey) herpesvirus. To this end, day-old chicks were infected with turkey herpesvirus and treated at intervals with 2.5 mg FIAC per 50 g chick. The results indicated that the drug brought the virus induced leukopenia back to the levels of the control uninfected chicks and thus inhibited the virus.

Because of the similarities between all herpesviruses, it is reasonable to expect that all animal herpesviruses will probably be susceptible to the anti-viral activity, and that it will be selective. Thus, for example, pseudorabies, bovine herpes virus-1 (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine herpes virus-2 (bovine mammalitis virus), canine herpes virus, equine herpes virus-1 (equine abortion virus), equine herpes virus-2, equine herpes virus-3, Marek's disease virus, chicken herpes virus (infectious laryngotracheitis), turkey herpes virus and feline rhinotracheitis (feline herpes virus) are caused by herpesviruses which should be susceptible to the selective anti-viral activity of FIAC or FMAU. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Veterinarian composition for the treatment of a herpes virus infection in animals comprising an anti-herpes virus effective amount of a pyrimidine nycleoside, or veterinarianically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, of the formula ##STR6## wherein A is OR³, SR³, NR³ R⁴ or NHacyl wherein R³ and R⁴ are the same or different and are hydrogen, lower alkyl of 1 to 7 carbon atoms, aralkyl, or aryl;NHacyl is alkanoyl or aroyl amide; B is oxygen or sulfur; X is halogen, alkylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl; Y is halogen, amino, monoalkyl- or monoaralkylamino, dialkylamino, aminomethyl, hydroxymethyl, lower alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, vinyl and substituted vinyl or ethynyl and substituted ethynyl; Z is methyne or nitrogen; R¹ and R² are the same or different and are hydrogen acyl or aroyl,in a veterinarianically acceptable carrier.
 2. Veterinarian composition of claim 1 wherein said nucleosides are selected from the group of1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorocytosine, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromocytosine, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methylcytosine, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-ethylcytosine, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-benzylcytosine, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-phenylcytosine, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-vinylcytosine, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-ethynylcytosine, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-aminocytosine, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-benzylaminocytosine, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-aminomethylcytosine, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyl-6-azacytosine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorocytosine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorocytosine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromocytosine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methylcytosine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyl-6-azacytosine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorocytosine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorocytosine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromocytosine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methylcytosine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyl-6-azacytosine.
 3. Veterinary composition of claim 1 wherein said nucleosides are selected from the group of1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorouracil, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil, 1-(3-O-acetyl-5-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azathymine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorouracil, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-thymine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azathymine 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorouracil, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-thymine, 1-(3,5-di-O-acetyl-2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azathymine.
 4. Veterinarian composition of claim 1 wherein said nucleosides are selected from the group of1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromocytosine; 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorocytosine, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorocytosine, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine and 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methylcytosine.
 5. Veterinarian composition of claim 1 wherein said nucleosides are selected from the group of1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-ethylcytosine, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-benzylcytosine, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-phenylcytosine, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-vinylcytosine, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-ethynylcytosine, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-aminocytosine, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-benzylaminocytosine, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-aminomethylcytosine, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyl-6-azacytosine, 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorocytosine hydrochloride, 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorocytosine hydrochloride, 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromocytosine hydrochloride, 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine hydrochloride, 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methylcytosine hydrochloride, 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyl-6-azacytosine hydrochloride, 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorocytosine hydrochloride, 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorocytosine hydrochloride, 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromocytosine hydrochloride, 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodocytosine hydrochloride, 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methylcytosine hydrochloride, and 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyl-6-azacytosine hydrochloride.
 6. Veterinarian composition of claim 1 wherein said nucleosides are selected from the group of1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)thymine, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorouracil, 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil and 1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil.
 7. Veterinarian composition of claim 1 wherein said nucleosides are selected from the group of1-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azathymine, 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil, 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorouracil, 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil, 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil, 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)thymine, 1-(2-chloro-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azathymine, 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil, 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-chlorouracil, 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-bromouracil, 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil, 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)thymine, and 1-(2-bromo-2-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-6-azathymine,
 8. Method of producing an anti-herpes viral effect in a warm-blooded animal which comprises administering to said animal an anti-pseudo rabies virus effective amount of the composition of claim
 1. 9. Method of claim 8 wherein said effect is an anti-pseudo rabies viral effect. 